Chapter Summaries

He Song discovered that Zhao Lin had reassigned Chen Zhou’s two mu of Spirit Fields to him, making him the target of Chen Zhou’s request to exchange plots. He refused Chen Zhou’s offer of ten Spirit Stones and told him to seek Zhao Lin’s approval first.

• After leaving the Spirit Medicine Pavilion, He Song watered the two newly assigned mu of Spirit Fields with the Spirit Rain Technique.
• Chen Zhou approached He Song and identified himself as the former owner of the fields.
• He Song recalled seeing Chen Zhou’s name beside his own on the Spirit Medicine Pavilion map and realized Zhao Lin had reassigned Chen Zhou’s fields to him.
• Chen Zhou offered ten Spirit Stones to exchange his two mu elsewhere for He Song’s nearby plots.
• He Song refused the exchange unless Zhao Lin approved it, warning Chen Zhou that Zhao Lin was his friend.

He Song refused Chen Zhou’s request to exchange Spirit Fields and asked Zhao Lin to investigate him in case of retaliation. Zhao Lin discovered Chen Zhou had been a fourth-level Qi Refining Rogue Cultivator before joining the Immortal Market, leaving He Song uncertain how to reconcile that history with Chen Zhou’s timid behavior.

• He Song refused Chen Zhou’s offer to exchange the two mu of Spirit Fields, and Chen Zhou left after muttering insults from a distance.
• He Song followed Chen Zhou briefly but could not find where he lived, then sent Zhao Lin a Sound Transmission Paper Crane asking him to investigate.
• Zhao Lin searched his records and learned that Chen Zhou was a thirty-one-year-old Rogue Cultivator recruited as a Spirit Plant Farmer three years earlier.
• Zhao Lin warned He Song that Chen Zhou’s survival and breakthrough as a Rogue Cultivator suggested he was more formidable than he appeared, and apologized for the trouble.
• He Song read Zhao Lin’s warning and wondered how Chen Zhou’s dangerous past fit with the timid man he had encountered.

He Song feared that Chen Zhou might be plotting to kill him after their dispute over the Spirit Fields, so he left his home and sought Wei Fan’s protection. He told Wei Fan everything that had happened and asked for help.

• He Song suspected Chen Zhou might have discovered where he lived and decided his house was no longer safe.
• He Song left with a Thick Earth Talisman ready and hurried through the crowded street to Wei Fan’s home.
• Wei Fan welcomed He Song and was alarmed when He Song said he needed help saving his life.
• He Song explained his breakthrough, his dealings with Zhao Lin, Chen Zhou’s offer for the Spirit Fields, and Zhao Lin’s speculation about Chen Zhou’s background.
• He Song finished recounting the events and waited for Wei Fan’s help.

He Song asked Wei Fan to investigate whether Chen Zhou intended to retaliate, with a plan to have Chen Zhou removed from the Immortal Market's roster before Wei Fan acted if necessary. Wei Fan gave He Song defensive Spirit Talismans and went to Lingjian Pavilion, where he found Chen Zhou's address.

• Wei Fan heard how He Song's Spirit Field dispute with Chen Zhou had begun and teased He Song about the accidental grudge.
• He Song asked Wei Fan to investigate Chen Zhou and described how Zhao Lin could remove Chen Zhou from the Spirit Plant Farmers' list if Chen Zhou planned revenge.
• Wei Fan criticized He Song's caution, gave him several defensive Spirit Talismans, and left to investigate Chen Zhou.
• Wei Fan searched the residence ledger at Lingjian Pavilion and found that Chen Zhou lived at House No. 7, Moxiang Street, Area D.

He Song learned from Wei Fan that Chen Zhou bullied and extorted weaker cultivators and had been asking about him, so they arranged to have Chen Zhou removed from the Spirit Plant Farmers and expelled from the Immortal Market. The chapter ended with He Song and Wei Fan sending Zhao Lin a request to act against Chen Zhou.

• Wei Fan returned and told He Song that Chen Zhou bullied weaker cultivators, extorted Spirit Stones, and had secretly asked about He Song.
• Wei Fan agreed to help remove Chen Zhou from the Spirit Plant Farmers and drive him out of the Immortal Market before making his move.
• He Song reflected on the danger of judging people by appearances and wrote Zhao Lin a request to strike Chen Zhou from the Spirit Plant Farmers.
• Wei Fan added his name and aura to He Song's message, lending the request the weight of his Qi Refining Late Stage cultivation.
• He Song sent the Sound Transmission Paper Crane, and he and Wei Fan soon received a reply.

After Zhao Lin removed Chen Zhou from the Spirit Plant Farmers' roster and claimed credit for He Song, Wei Fan went to deal with Chen Zhou. He Song stayed behind, deciding to prepare spells, Magic Artifacts, and Spirit Talismans before venturing beyond the Immortal Market.

• He Song read Zhao Lin's letter, which condemned Chen Zhou, struck his name from the Spirit Plant Farmers' roster, and requested a reward for He Song.
• He Song told Wei Fan that Zhao Lin was a longtime friend and suggested inviting him into their circle after Meng Guan returned.
• He Song and Wei Fan confirmed that Meng Guan had sent neither of them a message in three years.
• Wei Fan sent for Chen Zhou and hurried to his home, promising to burn his corpse and bring He Song the ashes.
• He Song chose not to follow Wei Fan and resolved to acquire combat spells, Magic Artifacts, and Spirit Talismans before leaving the Immortal Market.

He Song planned to improve his cultivation and combat ability by studying array formations, learning spells, and acquiring Spirit Talismans and Magic Artifacts. After worrying when Wei Fan did not return, he was relieved to see Wei Fan arrive with Meng Guan, who had returned from the Red Spirit Gold Mine.

• He Song decided to study the Array Dao Primer and set up a Spirit Gathering Array before spending Spirit Stones on spells and Spirit Talismans, then Magic Artifacts.
• He Song waited for Wei Fan and grew worried when night fell without his return.
• Wei Fan and Meng Guan arrived together at He Song’s courtyard, surprising him with Meng Guan’s return after three years away.
• Wei Fan explained that he had tracked down and killed Chen Zhou, then encountered Meng Guan while destroying the corpse and erasing the traces.

Wei Fan gave He Song the Storage Pouch and belongings of Chen Zhou, whom he had killed, and He Song found the dead Rogue Cultivator had left behind only a modest fortune. Wei Fan and Meng Guan persuaded He Song to accept the spoils as help, and He Song agreed to remember Wei Fan’s favor.

• Wei Fan and Meng Guan recounted how they had unexpectedly encountered one another after Wei Fan killed Chen Zhou.
• Wei Fan gave He Song Chen Zhou’s ashes and Storage Pouch, which held a few talismans, fifty-four Spirit Stones, and other items.
• He Song estimated Chen Zhou’s belongings were worth about a hundred and eighty Spirit Stones and reflected that he was poorer himself.
• Wei Fan offered He Song the spoils in exchange for a future favor, and Meng Guan encouraged him to accept.
• He Song accepted the items and promised to remember Wei Fan’s kindness, though he doubted he would soon become wealthy through the Array Dao.

He Song accepted the spoils from Chen Zhou’s death and reflected on how swiftly he had eliminated the threat. As Wei Fan and Meng Guan shared news from their years apart, He Song learned more about changes in Bamboo Mountain Immortal Market and the dangers at the Red Spirit Gold Mine.

• He Song accepted the Storage Pouch and other items from Chen Zhou, thanking Wei Fan and Meng Guan for settling the matter.
• He Song considered Chen Zhou’s death a successful way to remove a threat and resolved to watch for anyone seeking revenge.
• Wei Fan told He Song and Meng Guan that Bamboo Mountain Immortal Market had recruited many Rogue Cultivators, whose backgrounds and behavior varied.
• Wei Fan mentioned rumors of evil cultivators outside the Immortal Market, which few people took seriously unless they approached the market.
• Meng Guan explained that the Red Spirit Gold Mine’s tunnels had grown deeper and brought both deadly dangers and valuable discoveries.
• Meng Guan thanked He Song and Wei Fan for dissuading him from mining and helping him become a minor commander instead.

Meng Guan asked Wei Fan to accompany him to Qingyuan Immortal City to buy a Realm-Breaking Pill, hoping to advance to the Qi Refining Late Stage and pursue Foundation Establishment. Wei Fan agreed, but He Song declined the invitation and chose to remain in Bamboo Mountain Immortal Market.

• Meng Guan explained that his time among Rogue Cultivators at the Red Spirit Gold Mine had helped him earn enough Spirit Stones to seek a Realm-Breaking Pill.
• Meng Guan solemnly asked Wei Fan to accompany him to Qingyuan Immortal City, and Wei Fan agreed after considering the risks.
• Meng Guan felt relieved that Wei Fan had agreed and that their friendship had endured.
• Wei Fan invited He Song to join them, noting that an Immortal City was more prosperous than an Immortal Market.
• He Song declined because he preferred the safety and influence he had in Bamboo Mountain Immortal Market.

He Song refused to accompany Wei Fan and Meng Guan to Qingyuan Immortal City, but agreed to manage Lingjian Pavilion while they were away. Over the following months, he continued tending his Spirit Fields, studying arrays, and practicing inscribing array patterns as his cultivation rose.

• He Song refused Wei Fan's invitation to travel to Qingyuan Immortal City and agreed to take over Wei Fan's duties at Lingjian Pavilion.
• He Song returned Wei Fan's protective Spirit Talismans, and the three cultivators spent the evening drinking together in Wei Fan's courtyard.
• Wei Fan and Meng Guan left the next morning, while He Song saw them off at the Immortal Market entrance before tending his Spirit Fields and reporting to Lingjian Pavilion.
• He Song balanced his pavilion duties with studying the Array Dao Primer and practicing array patterns on Spirit Stones, using the released spiritual energy to advance his cultivation.
• Several months later, He Song sat at Lingjian Pavilion and carefully inscribed array patterns into a Spirit Stone.

After more than three years of study, He Song completed the five array foundations and successfully established a Spirit Gathering Array in his home. He kept its effects confined to his quiet room so he could cultivate faster without revealing that he was an array master.

• He Song finished inscribing the five array foundations needed for the Spirit Gathering Array.
• He Song returned home from Lingjian Pavilion and used hand seals to place the foundations in their designated positions.
• He Song linked the foundations and invoked the power of heaven and earth, successfully forming the Spirit Gathering Array.
• He Song adjusted the array to confine the denser spiritual energy within his quiet room.
• He Song resolved to conceal his status as an array master and looked forward to cultivating faster.

After reaching the Qi Refining Middle Stage, He Song focused on staying inconspicuous while strengthening his defenses and planning to cultivate Spirit Fields of his own. He visited the Spirit Skill Pavilion, where a woman greeted him and congratulated him on his progress.

• He Song put five Spirit Stones into his Spirit Gathering Array and began cultivating, knowing it would take around ten days to reach full efficiency.
• He Song considered how the Spirit Gathering Array, Mysterious Trace Array, and Five Elements Array could help him establish and protect his own Spirit Fields.
• He Song left home, tended the Spirit Fields under his management with the Spirit Rain Technique, and went to the Stall Area.
• He Song noticed that the old man who had once sold rice had disappeared and that a burly middle-aged man had taken over the stall.
• He Song entered Spirit Skill Pavilion, where a woman appeared beside him and congratulated him on his improved cultivation, saying Foundation Establishment was within reach.

He Song visited the Spirit Skill Pavilion to choose Qi Refining spells, where he reunited with Ping'er, now a steward at Qi Refining Layer 4. After hearing the spells and their prices, he was left wanting to learn them but had only thirty-five Spirit Stones.

• He Song reunited with Ping'er at the Spirit Skill Pavilion and congratulated her on reaching Qi Refining Layer 4.
• He Song asked Ping'er to show him Qi Refining spells so he could strengthen himself.
• A young attendant explained that Ping'er had become a steward after reaching the Qi Refining Middle Stage.
• Ping'er presented spells ranging from basic techniques to high-grade arts and described their prices.
• He Song realized he could afford little, since only thirty-five Spirit Stones remained in his Storage Pouch.

He Song learned how expensive spells were for Rogue Cultivators and bought the only two basic spells he could afford. After studying them, he left the Spirit Skill Pavilion with a gift of tea from Ping'er.

• Ping'er explained that Rogue Cultivators paid double the usual prices for spells and cultivation knowledge.
• He Song bought the Fireball Technique and Light Body Technique for twenty Spirit Stones.
• Ping'er noticed He Song had a Storage Pouch and wondered about his finances.
• He Song memorized both spells, gaining an offensive method and a way to flee from danger.
• Ping'er gave He Song a box of tea before he left the Spirit Skill Pavilion.

He Song received a gift of tea from Ping'er and later learned that Meng Guan had sent him Qi-Gathering Pills after breaking through to the Qi Refining Late Stage. Wei Fan revealed that Meng Guan had stayed in Qingyuan Immortal City to pursue further opportunities, leaving He Song to consider the change.

• Ping'er gave He Song fine tea and hinted that he could invite her to drink with him sometime.
• He Song returned home, stored the tea, and spent several days cultivating and tending his Spirit Fields.
• Wei Fan summoned He Song to Lingjian Pavilion and gave him a bottle of Qi-Gathering Pills that Meng Guan had bought in Qingyuan Immortal City.
• Wei Fan told He Song that Meng Guan had broken through to the Qi Refining Late Stage and chosen to remain in the Immortal City to develop himself.

He Song learned why Meng Guan had chosen to remain in Qingyuan Immortal City and accepted that his friend was determined to pursue Foundation Establishment. After catching up with Wei Fan and handing over his duties at Lingjian Pavilion, He Song returned home to cultivate and practice spells.

• Wei Fan told He Song that Meng Guan had left Bamboo Mountain Immortal Market to risk everything for a chance to reach Foundation Establishment before turning sixty.
• He Song silently wished Meng Guan success in Qingyuan Immortal City, remembering the kindness Meng Guan had shown him.
• Wei Fan described Qingyuan Immortal City, its cultivators, its Foundation Establishment residents, and the opportunities it offered cultivators like Meng Guan.
• He Song accepted Meng Guan's decision and considered that he and Wei Fan could offer him a way back if he ever had to leave the Immortal City.
• He Song handed over his Lingjian Pavilion duties to Wei Fan, returned home, and continued practicing spells, including the Fireball Technique.

Over three years, He Song practiced spells and cultivated to Qi Refining Layer 5, while learning the Mysterious Trace Array. After completing its array foundations, he prepared to set it up in his quiet chamber, bringing him closer to safely establishing Spirit Fields outside.

• He Song mastered the Fireball Technique and Light Body Technique in twenty days and continued practicing them regularly.
• He Song used Meng Guan's bottle of Qi-Gathering Pills with the Spirit Gathering Array and broke through to Qi Refining Layer 5 in three years.
• He Song found that pill toxins obstructed his spiritual power for a month and made pills only slightly more effective than ordinary cultivation in the Spirit Gathering Array, so he abandoned plans to spend all his Spirit Stones on them.
• He Song continued studying the Array Dao Primer and mastered the Mysterious Trace Array, inscribing all the array foundations needed to set it up.
• He Song decided to set up the Mysterious Trace Array in his quiet chamber so he could conceal future Spirit Fields from discovery.

He Song set up the Mysterious Trace Array in his quiet room to conceal himself and the Spirit Gathering Array. He remained unwilling to leave the Immortal Market until he had learned the Five Elements Array and a swift escape technique.

• He Song decided to activate only the Mysterious Trace Array’s aura-concealing function under ordinary circumstances, reserving its other functions for emergencies or seclusion.
• He Song rejected the idea of opening a Spirit Field outside the Immortal Market because he lacked offensive and defensive methods and a swift escape technique.
• He Song noted that he could dismantle and move his arrays by retrieving their undamaged array foundations.
• He Song used nine array foundations to set up the Mysterious Trace Array around his quiet room and Spirit Gathering Array.
• He Song confirmed the array was successful and concealed the Spirit Gathering Array’s aura, which explained why he had never invited anyone to his home.

After completing the Mysterious Trace Array, He Song contacted Ping'er, whom he had not seen for three years, and invited her to tea at a teahouse rather than risk bringing her home. When they met, Ping'er discovered that He Song had advanced to Qi Refining Layer 5.

• He Song finished setting up the Mysterious Trace Array and sent Ping'er a message recalling the tea she had given him three years earlier.
• Ping'er received He Song's message, realized he had not died, and agreed to meet him.
• He Song chose the Hundred Flowers Teahouse as their meeting place and took Thick Earth Talismans with him before leaving home.
• He Song began brewing Ping'er's tea at the teahouse, and Ping'er arrived wearing a light green robe.
• Ping'er teased He Song for making her wait three years, then noticed that he had advanced from Qi Refining Layer 4 to Qi Refining Layer 5.